Reversing-valve for regenerative furnaces.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

v J. B. NAU. REVBRSING VALVE FOR REGENERATIVE FURNACES- APPLICATION IILEfi APB..7, 1905.

lNl/EIVTOR 205w 03- M WITNESSES: M '29. Ja me UNITED STATES JOHN B. NAU, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

REVERSING-VALVE FOR REGENERATIVE FURNACES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed April 7, 1905. Serial No. 254,281.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN B. NAU, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reversing-Valves Used on Regenerative Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in reversing-valve systems on regenerative furnaces, and has for special object to obtain a simple and practical applicationof the style of water-sealed valves that at all times and in any position maintain a perfectly gas-tight seal, wherever such a seal is necessary to prevent loss of gas through leakage and short-circuiting. I attain these objects with the valve of four flucs, of which B is the gas-flue, lead-v ing to the left-hand gas-regenerator chamber of the furnace, O the smoke-fines, leading both to the smoke-stack, and B is the gas-flue, leading to the right-hand gas-regenerator chamber of the furnace.

The metal casing is divided into three compartments, of which the two lower ones D,

forming the valve chambers, are separatedby a partition E, running transversely through the middle of the hood in such a way that each chamber D will inclose one gas-flue and the adjoining smoke-flue. Through their top partitions each chamber D communicates, by means of an opening G, with the third compartment, the gas-chamber H, which forms the top part of the casing. Each opening G is located directly opposite the smoke flue opening O of the same compartment.

Gas-chamber H is provided in its roof with a valve-seated opening I, through which gas can be admitted to chamber H.

To avoid complication of the drawings, the mushroomvalve of opening I is not shown.

Each valve-chamber D is provided with a reversing-valve K, that works entirely within the confines of the valve-chamber that contains it. This valve K by means of a hollow spindle L' can be raised and lowered freely between an upper valve-seat M, that has the shape of a metallic cylindrical shell open at both'ends for the passage of gas and fastened to the under side of bottom of chamber 11 around opening G, to which it forms a downward continuation, and a lower valve-seat T, in the shape of a circular metallic watertrough, placed on top and around smoke-flue O, to which its inner wall forms an upward continuation.

The water-troughs N, filled with water during operations, may be independent of each other; but they are preferably connected by a straight trough O, traversing partition E and establishing water communication between troughs N. Trough O can be of any suitable width. In order to prevent any communication between the gases in the two val ve-chambers where trough O traverses partition E, this latter can be extended below, so as to plunge into the water of the trough, or, as is shown on Fig. 1, the top of trough 0 may be closed by a horizontal partition Z, from which a suspending-flange Z, plunging into the water of trough 0, forms 'a water seal. Partition E where trough O traverses it rests on partition Z. Each trough N is also provided with an emptying branch O, extending to the outside through one side partition of casing A. Valve K, of the bell-shaped order, is formed of a solid metallic partition 1? of any convenient shape, but which in the drawings is shown to bea disk fastened in its center to the lower end of the hollow spindle L and terminated at its rim by an annular water-trough Q, normally filled with water and of sufficient size to receive within its walls valve-seat M when in order to prevent any passage of gas through this valve-seat the valve is either above or in its intermediate position. To the bottom of troughQ is fastened a cylindrical addition R, having a hollow water-tight wall of such a size that it will freely enter the trough N when in order to prevent any passage of gases through valve-seat N the valve is in or below its intermediate position.

The total height of the valve from the upper face of disk P to the lower rim of addition R is such that when placed midway between upper valve-seat M and lower valve-seat N, as shown by dotted lines 1 2 3 4:, there will be a perfect water seal between the valve and the upper valve-seat M and also a perfect water seal between the valve and the lower valveseat N, thereby effectively and simultaneously preventing the passage of gaseous products through any of the two valve-seats M and N. Thus, according to the position of the valve, the valve-chamber within the confines of which the valve is operated can be put into direct communication with the gas-chamber, while communication with the smoke-flue is stopped, or it can be put into communication with the smoke-flue, while communication with the gaschamber is stopped, or it can be isolated entirely with no communication with either smoke-flue or gas-chamber.

Spindle L traverses the roof of chamber H and is provided at its top with an elbow S and a nipple T to admit water that, running down through the hollow spindle, will enter through pipe U into the hollow wall of addition R, which it will leave by ascending through pipe V into trough Q. This trough is provided directly above the branch '0 with an overflow, to which a downwardly-bent pipe WV is fastened, and the water from Q will run through pipe W into branch 0' below, which it will leave in its turn through overflow-pipe X. For the purpose of obtaining a coordinate movement between the two valves they are connected by a rope Y, which in some convenient manner has one of its ends fastened to the top of one spindle, then passes over two pulleys Z and Z, located higher up, to have its other end fastened to the top of the other spindle, the length of this rope being so regulated that when one valve is in its lowermost the other valve is in its uppermost position.

In order to reverse the valves, the'rope, with a view toward obtaining sufficient friction, makes one complete turn around pulley Z, on the shaft of which is secured an operating-lever Z, with which reversing can be effected. The valve system will work as follows: When the valves are in the position shown on Fig. I, the gas will pass from gaschamber through the left-hand valve-chamber D to gas-flue B, as shown by left-hand arrow on Fig. I, and from there to the furnace. The waste gases or smoke will leave the furnace through gas-flue B and passing through righthand valve-chamber D will enter smokeflue C of the same compartment, as shown by right-hand arrow on Fig. I, to go to smoke stack. In this position no gas can leak through anywhere.

During reversing the valves will reach simultaneously their intermediate position,

tion communication between flue B and smokestack for the escape of waste gases will be established on one hand, while on the other hand gas will be admitted from gas-chamber to flue B; but no gas will be lost during this period.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a reversing-valve system, the combination in one casing, surroundingtwo gas-flue and two smoke-flue openings, of a gas-chamber, and two valve-chambers, each valve-chamber inclosing within its limits onegas-flue opening, and one smoke-flue opening extended upward by a water-sealin g lower valve-seat, and directly opposite the smoke-flue opening between gas-chamber and valve-chamber, a gas-inlet opening, provided on the valve-ch amber side with a valve-seat, the two opposite valve-seats being such that, when moving between them a water-sealing valve, there will exist at one period a water seal between the valve and one valve-seat and a free passage through the opposite valve-seated opening,and at another period the valve will be sealed simultaneously with both valve-seats.

2. In a reversing-valve system, the combination in one casing surrounding two gas-flue and two smoke-flue openings, all four openings placed in one line, of agas-chamber, and two valve-chambers, each valve-chamber inclosing within its limits one gas-flue opening, and one smoke-flue opening extended upward by a water-sealing lower valve-seat, and directly opposite the smoke-flue opening between gas-chamber and valvechamber a gasinlet opening, provided on the valve-chamber side with avalve-seat, thetwo opposite valveseats being such that, when moving between them a water-sealingvalve, there will exist at one period a water seal between the valve and one valve-seat and a free passage through the opposite valve-seated opening, and at another period the valve will be sealed simultaneously with both valve-seats.

3. In a reversing-valve system, the combination in one casing surrounding four flueopenings, of which two are gas and two are smoke-flue openings, of a gas-chamber and two valve-chambers, each valve-chamber containing one gas-flue opening, and, directly opposite each other, one water-sealing valveseated smoke-flue opening, and one valveseated gas inlet opening leading to the gaschamber, both valve-seats located inside the valve-chamber, and a valve that moves freely between the two valve-seats, and means to' jointly operate the valves in the two chambers in such a manner that, when one valve forms a water seal with its upper valve-seat and leaves a free passage through the lower valve-seated opening, the other valve is water-sealed with its lower valve-seat, with free passage through the upper valve-seated opening, and when one valve is simultaneously water-sealed with both its upper and lower valve-seats, the other valve also forms a simultaneous water seal with each of its valveseats.

4. In a reversing-valve system, the combination in one casing, surrounding four flueopenings placed in one line, of which two are gas and two are smokeflue openings, of a gaschamber and two valve-chambers, each valvechamber containing one gas-flue opening, and,

directly opposite each other, one water-sealing valve-seated smoke-flue opening, and one valve-seated gas-inlet opening leading to the gas-chamber, both valve-seats located inside the valve-chamber, and a valve that moves freely between the two valve-seats, and means to jointly operate the valves in the two chambers in such a manner that, when one valve forms a water seal with its upper valve-seat and leaves a free passage through the lower valve-seated opening, the other valve is water-sealed with its lower valve-seat, with free passage through the upper valve-seated opening, and when one valve is simultaneously water-sealed with both its upper and lower valve-seats, the other valve also forms a simultaneous water seal with each of its valveseats.

5. In a reversing-valve system, the combination of one gas-chamber and two valvechambers, -the gas-chamber being in communication through one opening with thegassupply source, and with each of the valvechambers by a gas-inlet opening provided on the valve-chamber side with a valve-seat, each valve-chamber inclosing two flue-openings, namely a regenerator gas-flue opening, and, directly opposite the gas -inlet opening a smoke-flue opening surrounded on top by a water-sealing valve-seat, and moving freely between the two valve-seats, one valve in each valve-chamber, each valve being so built and so connected to the other valve that when the valve in one chamber forms a water seal with its upper valve-seat, the other valve forms a water seal with its lower seat, and when one valve forms a simultaneous water seal with both of its water seals, the other valve also forms a similar water seal with both of its valve-seats.

6. In a reversing-valve system, the combination of one gas-chamber and two valvechambers, the gas-chamber being in communication through one opening with the gassupply source, and with each of the valvechambers by a gas-inlet opening provided below with a valve-seat, each valve-chamber inclosing two flue-openings, namely a regenerator gas-flue opening, and, directly opposite the gas-inlet opening, a smoke-flue opening surrounded on top by a water-sealing valveseat, the four flue-openings contained in the two valve-chambers being in line, and moving freely between the two valve-seats, one valve in each valve-chamber, each valve being so built and so connected to the other valve that when the valve in one chamber forms a water seal with its upper valve-seat, the other valve forms a water seal with its lower valve-seat, and when one valve forms a simultaneous water seal with both of its water seals, the other valve also forms a similar water seal with both of its valve-seats.

7. In a reversing-valve system, the combination of a valve-chamber, having an upper gas-inlet opening surrounded inside the valvechamber by a valve-seat and having, opposite the gas-inlet opening, a smoke-flue opening surrounded inside the valve-chamber by a water-sealing valve-seat and, moving freely between the two valve-seats, a valve made of an upper and lower part assembled together, the upper part being provided with a watertrough of suflicient size and depth to receive within its walls the upper valve-seat, the lower part having an annular ring-shaped watercooled part extending downward of such a size that it will freely enter the water in the lower water-sealing valve-seat.

8. In a reversing-valve system, the combi-' nation of an. upper valve-seat, in the shape of a metallic cylindrical shell open at both ends and placed below and around an upper horizontal gas-opening, a lower valve-seat, in the shape of a metallic annular water-trough, placed on top and around a smoke-flue opening, vertically below the gas-opening, and filled with water, and, moving freely between the two seats in a vertical line, a valve, made ofa horizontal disk, terminated at its rim by a circular trough of sufficient size and depth to receive within its walls the upper valve-seat, and extended below by a metallic annular ring-shaped addition, secured to the bottom of the circular trough, of such size, that it will freely enter the water-trough of the lower valve-seat, the total height of the valve being such, that when placed midway between its two valve-seats, it will form simultaneously a water seal wit each of them.

9. In a reversing-valve system, the combination in a casing, of a gas-chamber and two valve-chambers, each valve-chamber having within its confines, a gas-flue opening, two valve-seated openings directly opposite each other, and a valve made of a disk with a watertrough around its rim, and cylindrical addition endwise-fastened to the bottom of the water-trough, and means to move the valve endwise between the two valve-seats in such a manner that at one period there exists a seal between the valve and one valve-seat leaving Signed at New York, in the county of New a free passage through the other valve-seated York and State of New York, this 6th day of opening, and at another period there is a seal April, A. D. 1905.

between the valve and the other valve-seat, JOHN B. NAU. with free opposite valve-seated opening, and Witnesses: at still another period, the valve is sealed ADA (J. NEILsoN,

simultaneously with both valve-seats. ANNIE D. WALLACE. 

